‘TJ Crowley’ 2025 Audie Awards Finalist!
Excellence in Audiobook Storytelling
We are thrilled to announce that our original full-cast audio drama, The Real Education of TJ Crowley: Coming of Age on the Redline, is a finalist in the Young Adult category of the 30th Annual Audie Awards, honoring excellence in audiobooks and spoken-word entertainment.
Set in 1968 Wichita, Kansas, this immersive audio experience follows 13-year-old TJ Crowley as he navigates the challenges of growing up during the Civil Rights movement. Featuring an award-winning cast of 15 actors, including Dani Martineck, Dion Graham, and Tavia Gilbert, the production brings to life a powerful coming-of-age story that resonates with listeners of all ages.
This recognition by the Audio Publishers Association is a testament to the dedication and talent of our entire team. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this project a success.
The winners will be announced at the Audie Awards Gala on March 4 in New York City.
Sample: Listen to Dani Martineck as TJ Crowley
“The narrators of this fraught coming-of-age story are excellent. To pick just three: Dani Martineck, as TJ, has just the right tone and delivery; Dion Graham excels as the Black Doctor, the new next-door neighbor, as does Tavia Gilbert as TJ’s boozy, racist mom. The spirituals of the ARISE Ensemble enhance the listening experience… Performed by a gifted cast, this slice of our history stays with the listener. - A.D.M., Winner of AudioFile Earphone Award” – AUDIOFILE
Meet the Cast
We are proud to celebrate the exceptional talent and dedication of the cast and crew who brought The Real Education of TJ Crowley: Coming of Age on the Redline to life. Their outstanding efforts made this prestigious recognition possible.
Narrators:
Dani Martineck as TJ Crowley
Dion Graham as Dr. Washington, Leon Bowman
Tavia Gilbert as Kate Crowley
Johnny Heller as Raymond Hatcher (Uncle Ray)
Kevin R. Free as Andy (Birmingham) Campfield
Shayna Small as Ivy Washington
Ari Fliakos as Detective Harris
Michael Crouch as Ronnie Crowley
Kirby Heyborne as Eric Armstrong
Graham Halstead as Mr. Johnson, Coach Gordon
Thérèse Plummer as Mrs. Armstrong, Widow Bender
Brittany Pressley as Mrs. Peters
Peter Berkrot as Vice Principal Scott
John Wright as Radio Announcer
Sheila Brown Kinnard as Mrs. Lorraine Washington
Production Team:
Grant Overstake – Co-Author and Executive Producer
May Wuthrich – Co-Author, Director, and Producer
Cameron Potts – Producer at John Marshall Media
John Marshall Media – Production Company
Music:
ARISE Ensemble – Featured Music
Distribution:
Blackstone Publishing
“The spirituals of the ARISE Ensemble enhance the listening experience. Performed by a gifted cast, this slice of our history stays with the listener.” – AUDIOFILE
This arts and humanities project was made possible through the fiscal sponsorship of the Youth Educational Empowerment Program (YEEP) and grant funding from the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. We are deeply grateful for the generous contributions from United Way of the Plains’ Promise on the Plains, Shocker Studios at Wichita State University, The Lenox Foundation, The Stecher Family Foundation, Massachusetts Mutual Insurance Co., and Bird by Bird Outreach. Special thanks to Abbe F. Large, Mike and Sally Harris, Marcia Ross and Jeff Kaufman, Michael Simon, Michael Birzer, Gretchen Eick and Michael Poage, and Sarah Bagby for their unwavering support. Thank you all for making this vision a reality!
We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone for their outstanding contributions to this project.
Immerse yourself in the audio drama that has captivated audiences and earned critical acclaim.
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Join listeners nationwide in experiencing this poignant and timely story. Your support means the world to us as we continue to share narratives that inspire and resonate.
Thank you for being a part of our journey.